Pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus.



A. W. PEARSALL.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 29, 1907.

Paten'wd Dec. 29, 1914.

A. W. PEARSALL.

PNEUMATIdmPATcH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1907.

1,122,629. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. W. PEARSALL.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1907- Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITE sfre'rs E'n'r omuon ALBERT W. PEAR SALL, OF LOWELL, KASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO LAMSON COMPANY, OF NEWARK. NIFW JERSEY. A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

YNEUMATIC-DESPATCH-TUBE APPARATUS.

. fipectflcation of Letters Patent.

To an whom it hairy concern;

Be it known that I, ALBF-RT of Iowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new andusefu'l Improvements in Pneumatic-Despatch-Tube Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

' My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic despatch tube apparatusand-its object'is to control and limit the use of the power to the interval necessary for the proper transmission and delivery of the earriers. This object is accomplishedby using a blower r pump Connected with one end of a system of transmission tubes and driven by a motor adapted who started into operation to establish a current of air for driving" the carriers, by means locatedat each despatchi-ng station along the line, and a timing device which is adapted to stop the carrier driving "operation of the motor after a sullicient intcrval'has elapsed for the proper transmission of the carriers.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of system embodying myinve'ntion, in which an electric motor is used and controlled by switches at the despatching stations and an automatic circuit breaker operated by the timing device, Figure l-is a diagrammatic view of a systcmj. showing the parts in normal or nonoperatinjg position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation .of' the automatic switch or circuit breaker in normal or non-operating position. Fig.3 is a similar view to Fig. 27 showing the parts in operating position. T

iiik eletters of reference refer to like parts throu hout 'thd' sleveral views.

Re erring" to lfiggl, A and B represent two stations connected by the tube C for the trr-iu-sn ission of. .cari'iers from station to sta tion Alostati'on by the tube D for the return of csm'iersfroii1 the station B to station 'll The tubefC has an openend or bellmQuth'iocatedat station A and connects at stat-ion Bj with the? ordinary upward dischargeteriniual B COIIlZI'OllGd by the usual dcliveryvalve B. The tube D conn its the terminal "13' with-the terminal D loc ted at station A which terminal D is controlled by I ,il ul e D. D is a despatching inlet foripserting carriers into the tube 1) for transmission and i) and'G are vacuum tubes W. Pertussis connecting the terminal D with the blower or pump P there being interposed between said-tubes the automatic timing mechanism F M is an electric motor adapted to drive thg') blower P through abelt'm. a and b are switches located at stations A and B res'pec tively and are in circuit with and. adapted through an electro'magnet R and swing- Patented Dec. 29,; 91.4.1

switch Y to close the circi'tit through motor M and start said motor awLblower P into operation. I v

The timing mechanism (Figs. 2 and 3) consists of the casting F the lower part of which comprises a cylinder F in which is mounted the piston F fixed to the piston rod F. The upper part of said casting comprises two chambers E and G connected respectively with the tubes. E and G, said chambers adapted to be placed into communication through an opening Fnormally closed by a. valve F" secured to the upper end of the piston rod F. The vacuum chamber (l is in continuous communication with the chamber F through port Gr in the cylinder F above the piston F. and the chamber F is normally in communication "through a port F", normally closed to the atmosphere by a va ve 1 and a by-pass F restricted by a timing valve F" and held in adjustchamber G. This by-pass F normally bal ances the vacuum on the upper and lower sides of the piston F causing said piston to,

hold the valve, F" closed by gravityas shown in Fig. 2. The valve F is mounted on one end of a bell-crank lever 'F pivoted at F" and normally held closed by a spring 1".

An armature F" fixed to the other end of said lever F is adapted to be operated by a. magnet F to open the valve F and admit air through the port F? to the chamber F beneath the piston F. This magnet is in circuit with a battery Xand the normally open switches a. and I) located at stations" A and B respectively and also with the electro magnet R. i

f is 'a normally open automatic switch mounted on the top of the casing F and adapted to control a shunt circuit through battery X and the magnet R.

f is a rod secured to the valve F and projecting through the upper part of the casing F and carrying fixed to its outer end a'collar f. .In the normal or closed position of the valve F (F ig. 2) the collar f holds the contact f of switch f away from contact f leaving the switch f and shunt circuit open. 8 is the ordinary main switch or cut-out.

- The operation of the system is as follows z-To despatch a carrier from station A to stationB the operator closes the switch a and inserts the carrier into the bell-mouth C. The closing'of switch energizes the magnet R attracting the armature Y and throwingthe contact Y of swing switch Y against the contact Z closing :the circuit through motor M as follower-from line wire through main switch a, wire I, contacts Y, and Z, and wi re 2 through motor. M, thence through wire '3 and switch a to line wire L. Themotor' M now started drives the blower- P ereating a vacuum in the tubeG and 'chamberG. Simultaneous of the switch a the magnet ting the carrier toward station'E; The circuit through switchvn is-as follows-from battery X through when, magnet F wire a, switch a, wires a and r and magnet R, thence back to battery Xthr'ough wire r". In the meantime the qpening of valve F 'moves the collar f upward releasing con tact 7" closing the switch f and a shunt cir- 'cuit from battery Xthroughwires a, f,

switch wire f, magnet R and wire r back to battery X. The closing of this circuit holds the magnet R and sw1tch Y closed keeping the motor M inoperation. After the carrier has been despatched the operator releases and opens the switch a dcnergizing the magnet F allowim the valve F to close shutting oil the admission of air to chamber F. The air under the piston F is now gradually exhausted through the by-pass F being timed by the adjustment of valve F allowing the piston F and valve F to drop by gravity so'that by the time the carrier has delivered at station B the valve F has cntiielyf closed shutting off the flow of air. 1he'val\-'ejI* having closed the collar fhas engaged and separated contact if from contact f opening switch f and breaking the shunt cil'cuilt dci negizing the ma net R allowing thatwitch to open breaking the motor circuit and stopping the motor.

In'despatching a. carrier from station 13 to station A the carrier is inserted. through the inlet B into tube D and the switch I) closed. The switch I) being in multiple with switch a the motor is'started, the carrier transmitted and the motor stopped in a manner idc-tical with that heretofore described.

States, is:

It. will be seen that any number of dcs-- patching stations and switches may be used on a line and that any number. of carriers may be sent from the same or separate despatching stations without waiting for the delivery of carriers, the timing mechanism being reset at each operation of a switch at a despatching station by the closing of a circuit through magnet F"; opening valve F and raising piston F by the admission of .air below the piston, so that the full operation of the motor'for the transmission of each successive carrier is thus secured. i

Having thus described my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, what I claim as new and desire'to secure bv Letters Patent of the United 1. In a neumatic despatch tube apps- Eli ratus, a tu e for the transmission of carriers, sendin stations for inserting carriers into said to e for transmission, 'a lilower or pump, an electric motor adaptcd 'to drive said blower or pump, means connecting said transmission tube with said blower or pump, a valve normall closing said connecting means, meanslocated at said sending stations adapted to contrcl the circuit of said motor to out said motor and blower into operation to open said valve and create a current of ainjn said tube for transmitting carrier's, means for timing the closure of said valve to the interval necessar for the transmission and delivery of sa c carriers, and a switch adapted to be operated by said valve tofcon;

troi the current at said motor to maintain said motor and blower in such operation for the transmission of said carriers and to out out of such operation said motor -and blower independently of the travel of the carriers. 3 i l 2. In a ineumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tu e for the transmission of carriers, sending stations for inserting carriers into said tube for transmissiom a jblower or pump, an electric motor adapted to drive said blower or ump, means connecting said transmission to ic with said blower orpump,

it valve normally closing said conneetin means, a magnet controlling the. circuit 0 said motor, a normally open switch located at each sending station in circuit with'said magnet and adapted to operate saidmagrlet to out said motor and blower into operation to open said valve and create a current of air in said tube for transmitting carriers,

means for timing the closure of said valve] to the interval necessary for the transmission and delivery of said carriers, a shunt circuit-through said magnet and flSWiiCh adapted to be operated by said valve to operate said magnet to maintain said motor in such operation for the transm'msion of masses said carriers and to out out oi such opera tion said motor independently of the travel of the carriers 3. In a pneumatic despatch tube appara tus, u tube for the trunsmi on of carriers, air displacing means connected with said tube and adapted to be operated to create a current of air in said tube effective for carrier propulsion, a motor adapted to drive said air displacing means, means for corn trolling said motor to rcndcr it operative to create said current of air, timing means operable by power and acting to allow said motor to operate in manner aforesaid, for an intcryal determined by said timing means and then to automatically limit sue.) operation of said motor, and conmsctions whereby power for actur ing said timing means is obtained subsumtially immcdiatcl y from said air displacing means.

4. In a pneumatic dcspatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of c rriers, air displacing means connected with said tube and adapted to be operated to create a curr nt of air in said tubeelfcctive for carrier propulsion, a motor adapted to drive said air displacing; means, means for con trolling said motor to render it operative to create said current of air, timing means operablv by poi r and acting to allow said motor to operate in manner aforesaid, for an interval dc ermincd by said timing means and then to automatically limit such operation of said motor, connections whereby,

power for actuating saiddiming means is obtained substantially inunediately from said air displacing means, said timing means being normally inoperable until said motor has been rendered operative, and means for starting said motor preparatory to actuating said timing means.

5. la a pneumatic dcspatch tube appara tus, a tube for the transn'iission of carriers, air diwplzu-ing liiHlllH connected with said tube and adapted to be operated to create a current of air in said tube effective for car-- riur propulsion, a motor adapted to drive said air displacing means, means for con trolling said in ltor to render it iipflltllllli to rztntr said current of air, and iming de- \i ,'c operable by power initims u obtained from said motor and acting; ti) allow Said motor to perate in manner aforesaid, for an intrrral determined. by said timing means and then to ainomatically limit such opera tion of said motor, said apparatus including connections for transmitting power, initially obtained. from said motor, to said timing de vice.

6. In a pneumatic despatch tube appara tus, a tube for the transmission of carriers,

air displacing means connected with said tube and adapted to be operated to create current of air in said tube e .ecn've for carrier pwpulsion, a motor adapted to drive said air displacing i'nrans, means for controlling id motor to render it operative to create rorrcat of air, Said motor con- :roiling means including a timing element .aczing to allow said motor to operate in murder aforesaid, for an interval deteri122 load by said element and then to limit such operation of said motor, said apparatus includ ng connections for insurin effective operation of said motor before said element becomes operative to time said motor operation.

T. In a pneumatic clespatch tube apparatus. a tube for the transmission of carriers, said tnoe having a receiving terminal, a mechan' I source of power normally inoperati carrier transmission purposes, conne ans beau-ecu said mechanical source of rower and said tube ada ted to cooperate with said sourceand esta lish a current of air in said tube effective for carrier prpulsion, timing element, acting when operative, to allow power to be supplied by said source for carrier transmission purposes for an interval (lGtGIIUlIlCd by said element and men to automatically limit such supply of p over. said timing element also being actuby power supplied by said source, and 1: ms for first rendering said power source operative and thereafter causing actuation o said timing element, said means including conirolling part disposed substantially at o .e of said terminals, said timing element amptcd lo re-tilnc for successive actuations 5 said last mentioned means.

5. in a pneumatic despatch tube appa- Mus, a tube for the transmission of car- "s, an, displacing means adapted to create a current of air in said tube effective for carrier propulsion. connections between said nouns and said tube, a alve for controlling the llow 5 air through said connections, timing means for controlling said valve, 8. motor for driving said air displacing means, and'instiunicntalities between said timing means and said motor for controlling the latter.

9. In a ratus. a tubo for the vtransmission of car rim-s. an displacing means adapted to create a current of air in said tube effective for carrier propulsion, connections between said moans and said tube, a valve for controlling the flow of air through said connections, Liming means for controlling said valve, a motor for driving said air dis lacing means, instrnmentalities between sai timing means and said motor for controlling the latter, connections between said air displacing means and said timing means for nctuatin the latter, and means for controil ng sue actuation of said timing means. T

In a pneumatic despatch tube apparates, a tube for the trnnsmlssippfiof car pneunmtic despatch tube appariers, a mechanical source of power normally inoperative for carrier transmission purposes, connections between said source of power and said tube adapted to cotiperate with said source to establish a current of air in said tube effective for carrier propulsion, a timing element, acting when operative, to allow power to be supplied by said source for carrier transmission purposes for an interval determined by said element and then to automatically limit such supply of power, and means for first rendering said mechanical source of power operative and for thereafter actuating said timing element.

11. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of can riers, said tube having a receiving terminal, a mechanical source of power normally inoperative for carrier transmission purposes, connections between said source of power and said tube adapted to cotiperate with said source and establish a current of air in said tube eflectivc for carrier propulsion, a timing element, acting when operative, to allow power to be supplied by said source for carrier transmission purposes for an interval determined by said element and then to automatically limit such supply of me chanical power, said timing element also being actuable by power supplied by said source, and means for first rendering said power source operative and thereafter causing actuation of said timing clement. said means including a controlling part disposed substantially at said receiving terminal. said timing element adapted to re-time for successive actuations of said last mentioned means,

12. In a pneumatic despatch tube uppa ratus, a receiving station, a tube connected thereto for the transmission of carriers, and air displacing means connected with said tube and adapted to be operated to create a current of air in said tube ctl'ectivc for car rier propulsion, a motor adapted to drive said air displacing means, means for controlling said motor to render it operative to create said cmrcnt of air. lluid u'essure operated timing means acting lo allow the motor to thus operate for an interval dctermincd by the timing nwans and then to automatically limit such op ra-tum of said motor, a valve for controlling the fluid which operates said timing means. and means for controlling said -\al\e from said recci ving station.

13. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a receiving station, a tube connected thereto for the transmission of carriers, and air displacing means connected with said tube and adapted to be operated to create a current of air in said tube effective for carrier propulsion, a motor adapted to drive said air displacing means, means for controlling said motor to render it operative to create said Currenl of air, timing means acting to allow the motor to thus operate for an interval determined by the timing means and then to automatically limit such operation of said motor, said system having provisions for insuring that the timed interval shall start to run only after pressure conditions, substantially at said air displacing means, are such as to permit of the transmission of a carrier from said station properly through said tube to a determined point thereinm 14. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus. a tube for the transmission of earriers between stations, a pump for creating a carrier propelling current of air through said tube, a motor to drive said pump, a

branched electric circuit having a circuit ma king device in one branch thereof to control the energization of a part at least of said motor, said circuit having in a second branch thereof contacts which control the How of current through said second branch, a timing mechanism to control one at least of said contacts, an electromagnetic device in said first mentioned branch to control the I starting of said timing mechanism to time said motor, and an clectro-magnctically operated device controlled by both of said branches and in turn controlling the running of said motor, said last mentioned device being normally operative to drive said motor. and thereby said pump to create said current of air only so long as said contacts in said second branch are out of their normal relationship and said timing mechanism determining the time during which said. contacts are thus oporatively disposed to drive said motor.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this twcnty first day of November, A. D. 1907.

ALBERT W. PEARSALL.

\Vitnesscs:

A. L. Mnssnn, "L. G. Ban'rurrr. 

